Kelvin Lee Lemons

Published 1:26 pm Friday, August 9, 2024

Kelvin Lee Lemons

July 14, 1958 – August 1, 2024

Kelvin Lee Lemons passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024. He was born on July 14, 1958 in Mt. Vernon, Oregon to Hale and Darlene Lemons.

Kelvin grew up going by the name Kelly, only finding out his given name when he went to get his driver’s permit.

At age 11, his family moved to John Day where he had many fond memories. He was a curious and mischievous little boy. He enjoyed tormenting his older sister Margo by getting into her possessions. He was always doing deeds like putting rocks into the lawn mower thinking they would convert to gasoline. He loved camping with their family’s yellow trailer, catching fish, and frying them up to eat.

Kelly grew up loving sports, playing football and baseball until he broke his leg in 7th grade. His main passions were basketball and golf. He was a tow-headed kid with black rimmed glasses who could be seen running around town with a basketball under his arm, usually on his way to shoot baskets at the A&W. His sports nickname was “Hound Dog” and in his senior year, one of his greatest memories was the Burns-Grant Union basketball game for the conference championship in front of a capacity crowd. He started playing golf in junior high school, continued through high school and made it a lifetime sport until his final days.

As a junior, Kelly was proud to be selected to go to Boys State held at Portland State. He graduated from Grant Union High School in 1976.

During the summers of 1977-1982, Kelly worked for the Grant County Road Department to put himself through college. He attended numerous Oregon colleges including Eastern Oregon College and Lane Community College, eventually graduating in 1982 from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Geography.  In 1979, he did a student exchange at the University of Southern Maine where he created memories that lasted him a lifetime.

After graduation, he began working on a Teacher Preparation Program at University of Oregon, doing his student teaching at Elmira, Spencer Butte, and Sheldon High School. In 1989, he started his post graduate work at Oregon State for his master’s degree. Kelly has been a loyal Beaver Fan ever since. He detested the breakup of the Pac-12 Conference.

In 1984, Kelly started teaching in John Day. After a couple of years, he moved to Grants Pass where he taught at North Middle School for 31 years, retiring in 2017. He enjoyed teaching impressionable middle school age students and the camaraderie of his colleagues. Kelly always encouraged his colleagues to pick a project student each year and take them under their wing. He deeply valued building relationships as a fundamental part of teaching. He was a champion of the underdog. He coached basketball, worked the finish line at track meets, and helped with the annual field trip to the Lava Beds. He believed in doing the extra things to support students and the school.

Kelly met his wife and soulmate, Amy Tiger, at Greek Folk Dancing at the Vitality Center in Grants Pass. They married in 1990 and came within days of celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary. Throughout their marriage, they balanced and supported each other while working well as a team. Inside his wedding band is engraved, “The journey is the reward.” It truly was.

Together, they had two children, Kelsey Tiger Lemons and Emily Tiger Lemons who were his pride and joy. He often included the kids in things he did. He liked riding his bike around town with a child in the seat behind him. The children usually fell asleep on their ride with their head bobbing about with a big helmet on it. Or he could be seen taking the dog to the vet, with both of the kids and the dog in tow in a Burley trailer pulled by his bike.

As the children got older, he helped with their interests. He dressed in cowboy attire and helped with the stage prop in Oklahoma for TMTO, traveled countless hours for both children’s sporting events, and helped coach youth basketball. He was always imparting life lessons to his daughters saying, “Never give up, try your best and have fun.”

He became a grandfather on August 30, 2022. His grandson, Owen, chose the name “Boopa” for Kelly who loved every minute of being a grandfather.

Before and during his retirement, Kelly enjoyed traveling with his wife. Travel often included sporting events. He became a great women’s basketball fan attending many college games. Their last trip included an Indiana Fever game and the men’s PGA Golf Championship.

Kelly will be remembered for his character and sense of humor. He never met a stranger he did not like. He gleaned nuggets of information and connections as he spoke to people. He had an openness and willingness to share his vulnerabilities. He cried watching Hallmark movies. He was the “magnet” of his neighborhood known to all who lived around him.

He bravely fought colon cancer for over two years so he could have more time with his family. His family would like to thank Dr. Nelson, Dr. Plummer, and Dr. Taylor for their kind and compassionate care. They would also like to thank the staff at the Asante Cancer Center, Hospital, Hospice, and Celia’s House who served him throughout his illness as well as OHSU who helped with diagnostics and consultations.

Kelly is gone too soon, but he will live on through his family and others who he touched. He is survived by his wife Amy Tiger, daughters Kelsey and Emily Lemons, son-in-law Peter Oliver, grandson Owen Oliver-Lemons, mother Darlene Lemons, sister Margo Dueber, brother-in-law Paul Dueber, niece Sajru Dueber, and nephew Ben Dueber.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for family, friends and neighbors. His immediate family will have a private gathering on Strawberry Mountain in Eastern Oregon.

Those who wish may donate to the Mr. Lemons Hope Scholarship. Checks may be sent to the Redwood Foundation for Education, at PO Box 1598, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528 or donate online at https://redwoodforeducation.org. Please indicate the fund for which it is intended.